The Hotel Federation of Ibiza and Formentera expresses its “discomfort” because the measures anticipated in the tourism legislation reform outlined by the Balearic Government’s president, Francina Armengol, on Monday in Madrid, are directed “to the hotel sector rather than the tourist sector in general.” “We should all be equal in this respect,” says Ana Gordillo, president of this collective, adding, “I don’t think tourists stay solely in hotels, but [the new legislation measures] only pertains to hotels.”
Concerning the “imposed” measures, such as digitalization, sustainability, and staff care, the president of the organization that represents hoteliers from Ibiza and Formentera recalls that “they are not necessary” because, on the one hand, the companies of the islands “anticipated the legislation” and are already implementing them because they are “in line with the future” of the sector. On the other hand, he recalls that the Balearic Islands have “the best labor agreement in Spain,” which prohibits the outsourcing of services in addition to salary increases. “Our hotel sector is a national model,” he emphasizes.
The effects on Ibiza and Formentera businesses
In this regard, Gordillo regards as “good” the measure envisaged in this new legislative proposal to provide elevators to hotel beds in order to facilitate the job of those who clean and tidy the rooms. “No one is against it,” he emphasizes.
However, the president of the Pitiusos hoteliers emphasizes that the measures envisaged by the Government’s proposed legislation change are proposed “in the long term,” with a six-year horizon, because otherwise they would be “unfeasible,” says Gordillo. “In the current circumstances, when we’ve had two extremely difficult years,” he continues, “we have to be very cautious.”
Similarly, Gordillo criticizes the lack of prior consultations with the sector to achieve a consensus on the reform’s content. “We met on Friday, but it had already been prepared. There was no bargaining. We were just asked for our thoughts on the deadlines to apply the measures, which we accept. Now we must examine the fine print and provide the suggestions that we believe are most appropriate to improve the text” he stated.